Change Management for Virtual Pharmaceutical Firms Randall Tlachac Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics
Opening Considerations Managing the kinds of changes encountered by and instituted between two organizations requires an unusually broad and finely honed set of skills, including: Empathy Clarity Communication Responsiveness Detailed planning and analysis
The Perspective of a Virtual Firm
Purpose Meaning of Change Management for Virtual Firms Unique Challenges Quality and Manufacturing Agreements Document Systems Outcomes of Effective Change Management
Meaning of Change Management Task of Managing Change and the RELATIONSHIP Process of Risk Evaluation/Assessment Definition of the level and detail and information Procedures and mechanisms for effectively managing change
Meaning of Change Management Defining the Systems at both firms Focusing on relationship building Enabling change in a risk-based manner Managing the change process Allowing for Innovation, Process Improvement and Optimization Assuring Quality by Design
What are unique challenges to Virtual Firms? Need to manage at least two Quality Systems Changes to be managed lie within and are NOT controlled by your organization Identify the interfaces Identify differences Impact on CMC sections Each firm sees risk in a different way
Manage the Interface Clearly understand the interface Prepare a Process Map for processes, inputs and outputs, meet and discuss Early on, focus on the point at which both organizations truly interact Encourage performance Identify and eliminate obstacles
What are unique challenges to Virtual Firms? Determine if anticipative and proactive or knee jerk and reactive Different processes for regulatory interpretations Master Parallel Review Cycles Encourage and motivate supplier to improve and optimize
Is your firm proactive or reactive How you approach depends on - Examine capabilities of your firm from a process, production, technical, quality, regulatory knowledge-based perspective What is your style Can you rely on the CMO/CRO to make major decisions about your product
Parallel Review Cycles Try to achieve efficient parallel reviews at both firms Attempt to incorporate this parallel review in one process Try to achieve equivalent risk assessment mechanisms
Encourage and motivate supplier to improve and optimize Change Control systems should be DYNAMIC ENABLERS for optimization Find ways and establish relationships with operators and analysts to encourage understanding and participation with the Change Control Process Identify and avoid the potential for disincentives for change
Different processes for regulatory interpretations Examine carefully the philosophy and process for the CMO/CRO interpretations Ensure that you have agreement on how changes are interpreted Ask specific questions regarding process, method and procedural changes and how they are processed Agreeing on the defined set of Controlled Documents subject to your review can help
Quality Agreements The Basics AT THE EARLIEST STAGE - Start with a comprehensive Quality Agreement Basis of information, who provides what Identify points of control Identify responsibilities Documentation Change Control and Risk Management Discuss Deviations and OOS situations Use to tightly bind your suppliers to you
Quality Agreements Key Elements Maintain involvement and understanding Define changes the manufacturer may make, using Risk Management Processes, to improve or implement changes Identify raw material, component, process and product controls within the design space to create requirements or guideline against which change management, risk assessment, and audits may be performed Periodic on-site reviews to evaluate deviations, CAPA, outcomes of joint actions Provisions for assessment of manufacturing issues related to Adverse Experiences
Quality Agreements What If? Regardless of the details in the Quality Agreement, the culture of the organizations and the relationship you have developed will make a difference when problems arise
Manufacturing and Supply Agreements Build in flexibility and provide accommodations for improvements Understand variability in raw materials and processing Regional Regulatory Approaches Constantly assess changes in interactions for improvement Agreements should be DYNAMIC
Integrate Document Change Control as part of Regulatory Process Choose team members with relevant skills and high energy levels Ensure that provisions are in place for evaluation of changes for regulatory impact for both parties Agree on timelines and expectations for evaluation and risk assessment Be prepared to Get to Know Your PARTNER
Document Systems Determine in which documentation system the CMC will reside Transfer the CMC in its entirety Provide Summary Document Transfer Manufacturing, Quality Control Methods, Specifications in your document format
Documents to Consider Full CMC Amendments Annual Reports Product, In-Process, Drug Substance Specifications Analytical Methods Master Batch Records Inspection Procedures Sampling Procedures and Requirements Certificates of Analysis and/or Compliance
Document Systems Establish distribution system List of documents maintained per Quality Agreement Maintain jointly a list revisions currently in effect Insist on formal acknowledgement of distributed documents
Document Systems Determine if philosophies for change evaluation are compatible Ensure and commit to a rapid review process for all proposed changes Seek compatible approach in level and detail of information
Outcomes of Effective Change Management for Virtual Firms Vision and plan for achieving change Implementation of an communications plan Established standard for performance (from meeting times for participants to turnaround for change) Built an effective team Awards and incentives
Outcomes of Effective Change Management for Virtual Firms CMOs/CROs will prefer to work with you Reduce time to approval and market An additional team will be helping you solve your problems Effective Change Management SHOWS and gives FDA confidence in the team during the PAI process
Outcomes of Effective Change Management for Virtual Firms Demand and Nurture Progress Able to maintain aggressive schedules Maintain momentum Identify interdependencies Facilitate enterprise wide involvement Continue to realign competencies in the groups to support the model
Connecting the Dots Seek to understand Be clear Adapt, control and effect change Make it look easy
Change as a What Problem What are we trying to accomplish? What changes are necessary? What are measures of success? What standards apply? What are the periodic measures of performance? Ask Why questions to get at the heart of improving interactions.
Selected Sources 1. Strategic Organizational Change - Michael Beitler 1. The Planning of Change - Warren Bettis 2. Organizations in Action - James D. Thompson
Contact Information Randall Tlachac Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics University of Minnesota (612) 624-0765 rtlachac@umn.edu